CASTAIC, Calif. – Firefighters fought to maintain control over a massive and rapidly spreading wildfire in the rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, leading to over 50,000 people being under evacuation orders or warnings.
The Hughes Fire, which broke out on Wednesday, has charred nearly 16 square miles of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreation area about 40 miles from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week. Although the region was under a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as fast as they had been during the previous fires, allowing firefighters to drop tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the latest blaze. By Wednesday night, approximately 14% of the fire had been contained.
The region remains under concern as officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break containment lines as firefighters continue to monitor for hotspots. Red flag warnings were extended through 10 a.m. Friday in LA and Ventura counties.
In nearby Los Angeles, a brush fire broke out on the Sepulveda Pass near the I-405 Freeway, forcing an evacuation warning. However, forward progress of the fire had been stopped by Thursday morning, and no injuries or structure damage had been reported.
The evacuation order and warnings have affected more than 31,000 people, with another 23,000 under warnings, according to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna. No reports of homes or structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Crews from the fire department, working in conjunction with air tankers, continued to battle the Hughes Fire, while authorities began to prepare for potential rain and its effects on areas impacted by the fires. Precipitation was expected to arrive as early as Saturday, leading to concerns over mud and debris flows.
To date, over 4,000 firefighters have been assigned to the Hughes Fire, with plans to fill sandbags for affected communities and install barriers to clear drainage pipes and basins. Meanwhile, the City of Los Angeles advised residents on how to protect themselves from toxic air during the latest Santa Ana wind event and urged residents to visit the city’s website for more information on ash exposure.
